New edition of Destination >> Equality on Community Organising

ILGA-Europe launched the new edition of our Destination >> Equality magazine on the theme of community organising - the power of people coming together to meet some of our most fundamental needs as human beings such as safety, care, belonging, sense of purpose. Beyond the personal, community organising is also a deeply political act, one that is at the centre of all movements for social change and social justice.Read the magazine.

Strategic planning weekend with members

In April, ILGA-Europe launched the organisation’s strategic planning process for 2019-2023. One very important step in this process was the strategic planning session with representatives of some of our member organisations. The meeting took place in Brussels on 2-3 June. At the meeting, we discussed a first draft of ILGA-Europe’s next strategic framework and priorities for the next five years.

Apply for partial scholarships for the Annual Conference 2018

We launched the application process for Partial Scholarship to the ILGA-Europe Conference. ILGA-Europe provides Partial Scholarship for activists who want to share their voice and be part of the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference that will take place in Brussels on 24-28 October 2018. The Partial Scholarship includes the coverage of the partial costs to attend the conference. Deadline for application is Monday 16 July 2018 (midnight CEST).More information.

From the ILGA-Europe Blog this month: ‘Demonstration and demonisation – life for Georgia’s queer communities’

Levan Berianidze, Executive Director of Equality Movement, Georgia was a guest contributor to the Blog this month. Levan describes how LGBTQI clubs and bars have played a crucial role in mobilising LGBTQI people in Georgia, and explains why the recent raids on these clubs were seen as an attack on the community's home.Read the blog.

Rainbow Europe on Politico’s podcast

Our executive director Evelyne Paradis spoke to Politico Europe’s EU Confidential podcast as it celebrated 50 episodes. She discussed the Rainbow Europe 2018 headline results and told the stories that lie behind the individual country scores. Huge thanks to the Politico Europe’s Ryan Heath for this great conversation.Listen to the podcast.

Empowering LGBTI sex workers – new position paper

Our new position paper on the rights of LGBTI sex workers was launched in June. Entitled ‘Empowering LGBTI sex workers towards the full respect of their fundamental rights’, it outlines three key steps that we all collectively must take to ensure the rights of sex workers are protected: 1. Combatting structural discrimination and social exclusion of LGBTI people, 2. Calling for decriminalisation as a cornerstone for protecting the human rights of sex workers, 3. Working towards the full inclusion of the voices of sex workers in the LGBTI community.Read the position paper.

Blog: ‘Why we have a new policy on LGBTI sex work’

Evelyne Paradis explains why it’s so important for ILGA-Europe to have this new policy on LGBTI sex workers. “… I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the LGBTI sex workers’ activists who kept pushing us throughout the years. Thank you for asking hard questions and challenging deep-seated privileges. Thank you for your patience and your willingness to share your stories.”Read the blog.

European Equality Gala’s 4th edition was a success!

ILGA-Europe are blown away by the generosity shown at the 2018 European Equality Gala on 27 June. To everyone who joined us on the dance floor in Bozar, put your change in a donation box and took part in fierce bidding battles in the European Equality Auction. To our sponsors who so generously supported us and helped us raise more. To the performers who gave us an unforgettable night. Together we raised €37,528.20. Thank you.See Facebook photo album from the Gala.You can still donate ILGA-Europe.

Queer & Tonic fundraiser for ILGA-Europe

The Queer Stagiaires, a network of EU institutions trainees, are throwing a summer party on 7 July to raise funds for ILGA-Europe’s work. Last summer, the group raised almost €600 for victims of the Chechnya crisis. If you’re in Brussels, join the party at Rainbow House and help beat last year’s total!Attend the event.

Donate on Facebook

Did you know you can now start a fundraiser for ILGA-Europe on Facebook in just a few clicks? Getting started is easy! Simply create a fundraiser, set your target, invite your friends and watch the donations roll in. Give it a try and help ILGA-Europe connect with even more supporters.See who donates and start donating yourself.

PACE adopted the report on LGBTI people in Chechnya

On 27 June, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the ‘Report on the Persecution of LGBTI people in the Chechen Republic (Russian Federation)’ compiled by Piet De Bruyn, General Rapporteur on the rights of LGBTI people. ILGA-Europe welcome this important report (the first of its kind from an international organisation) on concerted persecution of LGBT people (and those perceived to be LGBTI) perpetrated by authorities in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation over a year ago.Read more.

The Parliament of Iceland’s new bill on workplace discrimination

A new bill on anti-discrimination at workplace was passed in the Icelandic Parliament on 11 June. The law in question, submitted to Parliament by Minister of Social Affairs Ásmundur Einar Daðason, expressly forbids discrimination in the labour market on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, personal philosophies, disability, impaired working ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics or gender expression. The new bill will come into effect on 1 September.Read the original law text in Icelandic.

Polish Supreme Court rules against discrimination in access to services

The Supreme Court ruled that nobody should be discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation when accessing services. Paweł Knut from Kampania Przeciw Homofobii (who represented LGBT Business Forum – the organisation involved in this case) commented that "...this a clear signal from the administration of justice that LGBT persons living in Poland deserve equal treatment and protection of their dignity no matter who they are and who they fall in love with."Read more.

First report from UN SOGI Expert Madrigal-Borloz published

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, published his first report on 11 June. The report highlights that LGBTI people are particularly vulnerable to violence, ill-treatment and discrimination, many facing it every day, at the hands of state authorities, individuals, criminal gangs, and even their own families.Read here.

“Be Yourself”

One of our member organisations in Bulgaria, Single Step, have launched a new motivational video called “Be Yourself”. The video was created to inspire young people around the world to be true to themselves. The creators of the video have decided to provide it royalty-free, pro bono, to any LGBTI group or organisation which may like to use it locally, in order to inspire young LGBTI people.Read more about the video and the videomakers.

CJEU rules that ‘spouse’ definition in free movement law includes same-sex couples

In a landmark decision, issued on 5 June, the Court of Justice of the European Union has defined the term ‘spouse’ for the purposes of freedom of movement for the first time. This momentous decision is the result of a lengthy legal challenge brought by Adrian Coman and Clai Hamilton, supported by Accept Association in Romania. “Equality, fairness and pragmatism were at the core of today’s verdict from Luxembourg.” said Evelyne Paradis as the decision was announced.Read more.

Czech Parliament receives opposing marriage equality bills

On 22 June, the Czech government approved a bill proposing equal marriage for all – for the first time ever. The bill was sponsored by a group of MPs from across the political spectrum and it has the support of the prime minister. Three days after that bill was originally filed, another group of MPs, filed a counter-bill proposing to ban equal marriage in the Czech Constitution. Polls show significant support for equal marriage (65%) and 71,000 people signed a petition in favour of its introduction. ". We will continue building support in parliament, having lots meetings with politicians." says Adela Horakova, Advocacy Director of the Czech marriage equality coalition "We Are Fair".Read more.

Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride banned this year

Istanbul Pride has been banned again for the fourth year in a row. Everyone has the right to peacefully assemble as a community, and it is incredibly disheartening to see these basic freedoms being restricted - yet again - in Turkey. This repression is offensive and unacceptable. You can follow the hashtag #OnurYuruyusu on social media for the latest update.

Baltic Pride 2018 in Riga – a striking paradox between societal acceptance and political will

Our advocacy officer Daina Rudusa joined the Baltic Pride celebrations in Riga – in a year of many firsts. It was undeniably a tribute to how far Latvian society has come in terms of acceptance. The 100 days of Pride events that took place in the city were a celebration of diversity and the human rights of all.Read her blog post.

On 18 June, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its intention to delete all trans-related categories from the ICD Chapter on Mental and Behavioural Disorders. New trans-related categories have been introduced, namely on Gender Incongruence of Adolescence and Adulthood and Gender Incongruence of Childhood. This is the outcome of more than a decade of battle and ILGA-Europe congratulate all activists involved in bringing this important victory about. Now, we will all together need to make sure that these changes are implemented at national level.Read more.

Lesbian couples and single women will be able to access IVF in Malta

Maltese President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca signed the Embryo Protection (Amendment) Act on 21 June. As a result, same-sex couples and single women in Malta will be able to access IVF treatment domestically for the first time. The legislation had already been passed in a parliamentary vote but it still required presidential assent before it could become legally enforceable.Read more.

ILGA seeks a Director of Programmes and Administrative Support Officer

ILGA has announced two exciting job vacancies for Director of Programmes and Administrative Support Officer to be starting working in their office in Geneva. The Director of Programmes will manage the effective implementation of programmes and will have direct supervision of currently 4 team members situated in Geneva. The Administrative Support Officer will organise and co-ordinate practical preparation of meetings, conferences (including ILGA World Conferences), events and actions including procuring and booking venues, hotels and travel arrangements, contacts with participants, and preparing documentation as necessary. Don’t miss the deadlines, which are on 20 July and 16 July respectively.Apply for the jobs at ILGA.

EPIM launches “Rethinking inclusion”

The European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM) launched “Rethinking inclusion” – a call for expressions of interest to unlock innovative solutions for migrant inclusion and social cohesion in Europe. Up to 20 shortlisted solutions will participate in a case study analysis and up to 8 solutions will be selected to be matched with stakeholders interested in adapting the solution in Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Portugal or Sweden. Selected pairs will be awarded with capacity support grants of up to 30,000 EUR.Apply here before 15 July.

Pro bono legal assistance from The American Bar Association

The American Bar Association has announced that its Justice Works Program is now open to offer technical legal assistance. The programme addresses violence impacting LGBTI people and supports civil society and the justice sector with tools and capacity. Justice Works offers free support to local partners through a network of pro bono lawyers and legal experts. Read more and apply.

Call for papers - International conference "Breaking the barriers: improving access to justice for victims of anti-LGBT hate crimes"

University of Brescia (Italy), Lambda Warsaw (Poland), and GLAS Foundation (Bulgaria), together with partners from 10 European countries, announced the international conference “Breaking the barriers: Improving access to justice for victims of anti-LGBT hate crime”, organized within the framework of the EU-funded project ‘Come Forward’. It will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria on 20-21 September 2018.Send your contributions by 23 July.

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